Oh, my dears! 22 September 2025! Mark it in your diaries, darling. That's the day the music of ballet truly takes centre stage. It's time to dust off those pointe shoes, and even dust the cobwebs off those ballet slippers you’ve had tucked away, you know, the ones with the velvet bows. Because, my loves, tonight is all about that delicious synergy of music and movement that sends shivers down the spine, sets the heart aflutter and leaves us wanting more.
There is something truly magical about the way the notes soar and dip, mirroring the dancers' movements with effortless grace. As if a composer, a conductor and a choreographer all had one beautiful, collaborative vision – a dream brought to life, spun from notes and steps. You've all witnessed the spectacle, the artistry, but have we ever paused to consider the unsung hero, the heart of the show? The music! Yes, darlings, tonight is all about that! This magnificent symphony of strings, wind and percussion - an integral part of our ballet heritage. Today, we celebrate the grandmasters of the art form. We bow down to those legendary composers, those pioneers who provided the canvas upon which choreographers paint with their graceful limbs.
But darling, let us be truly modern tonight, and let us talk about not just the classics, the Tchaikovsky and Stravinsky, oh, how their melodies set my soul aflame! Let us discuss the music of today! Those artists who push the boundaries of this delicate art, blending the classic with the cutting-edge, challenging the expectations and the ears, leading the dance forward into the brave new world of the twenty-first century. Yes, you’ve guessed it darlings, this evening we're also giving a nod to the brilliant, contemporary composers – those sonic rebels who have created a sound for our times, a score that resonates with the anxieties and hopes of our current world. They've breathed life into contemporary dance pieces with melodies that tug at our heartstrings and rhythms that set our bodies alight. Now, don't think for a moment, my loves, that our exploration will be strictly serious. Because tonight is also about that sheer, unadulterated fun. Let’s delve into those famous scores – the waltzes, the polkas, the grand adagios. Shall we find ourselves transported to the opulence of a ball, our hearts pounding as the music escalates the suspense? Or shall we float, effortlessly, to the delicate rhythms of a pas de deux, a perfect marriage of bodies, souls and sound? All of this, darlings, in the glorious embrace of dance music. Tonight, my dears, we shall let the music wash over us like a warm bath.
Before we embark on this thrilling journey into the sonic heart of ballet, allow me to paint a picture, my darlings. Let’s start with the attire! A dazzling ensemble, my darlings, something as vibrant and expressive as the music itself. I propose a stunning ballet-inspired creation – a shimmering leotard. This, my loves, is no ordinary leotard. This leotard, is … a dream. A delicate, silky fabric that drapes effortlessly, caressing the skin like a gentle summer breeze. The colour? Oh darling, something to take our breath away. A vibrant crimson, rich and full, evocative of the passion of a flamenco dancer, yet subtly sensual – an homage to the classic, with a twist, my dears. It's a tribute to those delicate red tutus that set our pulses racing in classics like "Don Quixote" and "Swan Lake."
To complement this dazzling red leotard, a graceful, romantic touch. Imagine, my darlings, a ballet skirt – the embodiment of elegance. Its pale pink hue, delicate and feminine, a whisper of rose petals against a summer sky. This ethereal tulle skirt swirls as the dancer moves, leaving a trail of shimmering light in its wake – a dreamy echo of a traditional, romantic ballerina’s pink tutu.
With this magical outfit in place, you’re all ready to enjoy the beautiful and exquisite sounds of ballet.
Tonight, We Feast On The Music:- The Classics – A Symphony of Tradition: Oh my loves, tonight we will immerse ourselves in the grandeur of the legendary Tchaikovsky. Can you hear the triumphant, heart-stopping strings in “The Nutcracker”? What about the majestic power in his music for "Swan Lake"? Then we'll step back in time, through centuries of passionate storytelling – the romantic ballets, a true dance between delicate and bold notes – and that dramatic energy in "La Bayadère", it’s something else.
- Dancing On Air – Debussy’s Musical Whispers: My dears, there is something simply otherworldly about the music of Claude Debussy. Can you imagine a world so filled with delicate rhythms that only the subtlest movement seems right, just the quietest notes of a solo piano. We will find ourselves, mesmerized, as we listen to the exquisite score of “L'Après-midi d’un faune”, a perfect match for those sensual and flowing movements.
- Stravinsky – A Bold Departure: A radical genius! You are feeling this energy, are you, darlings? “The Rite of Spring” has never gone unnoticed, and it still brings a buzz into any auditorium even today. That pounding energy – so primitive and intense, yet controlled. So revolutionary, that audiences in 1913 were so upset by the ballet performance. How brilliant is that?
- The Modern Ballet Movement: My loves, I implore you, delve into the music of composers that broke away from tradition, to create something fresh, exciting and so, so now! How thrilling is it to dance to scores from Prokofiev – the energy, the complexity! This was his musical vision for "Romeo and Juliet" - intense love, anger, loss and hope, he caught every emotional nuance so expertly in his music! Oh! and "Cinderella," so whimsical, full of delicate melodies and joy! Now, if you fancy something that truly pushes the boundaries, then "Shostakovich's Lady Macbeth" is pure magic - bold, passionate, darkly enchanting – for only a true artist like Shostakovich could capture this dark beauty, and that makes it so special. It's this power of music that truly brings the story to life. These compositions provide a stage for choreographers and dancers to express a symphony of emotions, using their bodies to move the audience and send shivers down their spines. And my darlings, you must never, never underestimate the magic of the smaller, the personal.
- The Unheard Composers: Have you ever stopped and pondered what would happen if a story was being told solely through the music, with no words? Yes, my dears! Think how truly magnificent these unseen artists can be. Those composers that haven’t been given the grand platform they deserve! Let us explore that, that’s the challenge for today – those new, exciting voices. It’s a revelation to be open to those new soundtracks. We should hear what's going on out there. You see, darling, my heart belongs to both the classical giants, and to these emerging composers – and so should yours. Let's champion them, let's embrace their melodies, let's encourage their stories. We all know the old adage "every artist is an influencer" – well tonight we have the opportunity to be the movers and shakers, the cheerleaders for the future of this wonderful musical ballet heritage.
- And Now The Ultimate Luxury – An Exclusive Premiere Tonight, darling, we’re not just enjoying what's already been written, we are in the privileged position of hearing the future of ballet music! A live debut! Can you feel the excitement? A breathtaking symphony for a modern production! Prepare to be swept off your feet. Prepare to be spellbound. Imagine this – the music rises like a majestic bird in flight, it floats, soars – like a magnificent performance by our dancers. Imagine the stage awash in shimmering light, reflecting the very spirit of this new musical experience! A composer's triumph.
- More Than Music, It's An Art Form – Do not let us ever forget, my loves, that ballet, as we know it, is not just the beautiful leaps and grand jete’s. Ballet music and ballet storytelling go hand in hand! That wonderful tension and resolution is created by the interplay of music, choreographed dance, costume and, even, the audience.
So, my loves, get ready for a magical night – a world of emotions where you will be transported to a place where even time seems to dance.